Amusement device



.Nov. 24, 1931. J. GRANTONIC 1,833,570

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed April 22, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 In ventor R @722/222 frail i'an 226' M Attorney Nov, 24, 1931. RANT 1,833,570

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed April 22. 192 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 In venior elk/12a {9'0 (on 6% Attorney NOV. 24, 1931. GRANTQNIC 1,833,570

AMUSEMENT DEVI C E Filed April 22, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor eiaiuz fawn Z'0IZZ'O'M @zmw/ih Attorney Nov. 24, 1931. J. GRANTONIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed April 22, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Attorney Nov. 24, 1931. J. GRANTONIC AMUSEMENT DEvIcE Filed April 22, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ll// [III/ll] I 'IIIIIIIIII/IIII In vnior @7212 [mac ionic Attorney NOV. 24; 1 931. J GRANTONlc 1,833,570

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed April 22. 192'? 7 Sheets Shee.t- 6

w, *R 5 Fin A iiorney NOV. 24, 1931. GRANTQNIC 1,833,570

AMUSEMENT DEVI CE Filed April 22. 1929 7 SheetsSheet '7 Fe 1 if.

lnvenior Attorney Patented Nov. 24, 1931 PATENT OFFICE JOHN GRANTONIC, OF MINGO JUNCTION, OHIO AMUSEMENT DEVICE Application filed April 22, 1929. Serial No. 357,224.

The present invention relates to improvements in amusement devices and has reference more particularly to a game wherein a figure is normally hidden from View, means being provided which, when struck by a missile will effect the release of the object whereby to permit the latter to be moved into position where the same may be readily viewed.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an amusment device of the above mentioned character that includes a means for returning the movable parts to their initial position whereby to reset the device for further use.

Another important object is to provide an amusement device of the above mentioned character that includes a single means for resetting all of the projected figures to their lowered initial positions and this, without affecting those figures already held in a lowcred "position out of view.

' Another object is to provide an amuse ment. device of the above mentioned character that includes a particular target structure for association with a pivoted trigger whereby to disengage the same from the figure supporting member when the target is struck by a ball thrown by the player standing a suitable distance away from the target, additional means being provided for automatically projecting the figure and its carrying member upwardly to 21 position where thesame is readily and easily viewed.

A still further object is to provide an amusement device of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed. Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the nature of the invention proceeds and when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings; 7

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the amusement device embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is afront view thereof.

Figure 3 is a verticalsectional view, taken approximately on the line 33 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

' Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the device showing the parts in their initial or normal position.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, looking downwardly.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail of the target and trigger structure showing the manner in which the trigger secures the vertically movable figure supporting member in its lowered position.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view, showing the position of the parts when the target has been struck by a ball and the trigger is released from the pin carried by the ver tically movable figure supporting member, the latter being shown in its uppermost position for the purpose of displaying the figure.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view through the cylinder within which operates a counter-weight.

Figure 9 is a detail perspective view of the figure supporting member, forming a salient part of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a detail of a modification of the means for resetting the movable parts to their initial positions, the means being electrically operated.

Figure 11 is a view looking at right angles to Figure 10, for more clearly disclosing the relationship of the parts.

Figure 12 is a detail of the pitman that is eccentrically connected to the large spur gear, and

Figure 13 is a detail of the spring pressed bearings for the stub shaft associated with one of the setting levers.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention the numeral 1 designates generally a partially enclosed structure which includes a front wall 2 disposed at a slight incline, a rear wall 3, a ceiling 4, and side walls 5.

The front wall terminates below the ceiling as clearly shown inFigure 4;, and a woven wire mesh screen 6 is arranged between the forward edge of the ceiling l and the upper edge of the front wall 2. In addition, suitable scenery 7 is suspended from the ceiling v 1 adjacent the rear wall 3, so as to be visible through the screen 6 as suggested very clearly in Figure 2.

A cushioning pad 8 is secured to the outer or front face of the front wall 2, in any appropriate manner and extending forwardly from the side walls adjacent the ends of the cushioning pad 8 are the diverging wings S).

A counter 10 is arranged a suitable distance, in front of the structure-1 and this counter includes a tray 11, in the top thereof,

in which balls are placed for use byv theplayer.

A receptacle 12 is arranged zbelow'the tray 1l, for receiving the balls thathave been thrownby the player against the targets, whichroare to be presently described indetail. To this end, aball return trough 13 eXtends-frointhe front all 2 to the counter 10 and is inclinedinwardlytoward the coune ter. Downwardly converging side walls 14 of canvas arcas'soc ated with the trough 13 a suit-ableframe structure shown generally at15is provided for supporting the ball return trough and the side walls as shown more clearly-in Figure 2. i 1

TA bar extends horizontally across the rear face of the front "wall 2i and extending through thisbar 16 as well astlirough the front wall 2 and the cushioning pad '8 are ran'gedagainst the front face thereof are the spaced sleeves 17, the same being disposed at a slight angle as more clearly shown in Figure 6 of the drawings,

,Eachsleeve is fixedly mounted and slidable through each sleeve is an elongated rod 18, the inner or rear end thereof being threaded as indicated at 19, while carried at the for vward end of each'rod 18 is the disc shjaped target 2O. An' expansible; coil spring 21 encircles the outer end portion of. each rod for dispositionbetween the forward end of the sleeve 17 andthe target for normally urging the rod 18 outwardly to space the target 20 with respect to the pad 8, as alsoclearvmovement of the rodloy ly indicated in FigureG of the drawings. 7

A nut 22 is, threaded'on the threaded portion 19 of each rod 18 and cooperates" with the-inner or rear end of the respective sleeve 17 for adjusting the rod with respect to its sleeve; whereby to limit the outward sliding pansible coil spring 21.

A seriesof'spaced Crossbars 23 extend between the frontand rearwalls 2fand"3 .di-

rectly above the longitudinally extending bar 16 and pivotally'mounted'one one side edge of each cross bar. 23 as at 2 1: is the ver f tically disposed trigger 25. A notch 26" is formed in the side edgeof each trigger acent the upperend thereof andthe upper end of eachftrigger terminates inv a nose 27 A retraictile cioil; spring28 maintains the lower end'ofeach pivoted trigger 25 incensliding movement of said rod.

forward end thereof" theaction of the ex at its upper end a base or platform 32 is arranged for vertical slidable movement through eachsleeve 30. A stop forming collarB-ES is arranged on the intermediate portion of the rod 31 for limiting the upward l Each rod is formed with an opening directly beneath the collar 33, a similar opening' 35 being formed inthe lower'extremity of each rod'31, for a purpose to be presentlydescribed. ,An eye bolt 36'projects from the forward end of theblock or platform 32 for cooperation with suitable guide rods 37 that extend. between the top of the front wall 2 andthe respective cross bars 23 to prevent rotation of the rods 31 and the blocks or platf rms 32 carried the upper ends thereof.

A pin 38 extends laterally from one sideedge ofeach block or platform .32 adjacent the for cooperation with the notch 26 of the respective pivoted trigger 25 as clearly shown in Figure 6.

Carried on the'upper face 'ofeach block or platform 32 is a doll or other suitable figur'e denoted by the reference character 39. Normally the dolls or figures 39 aredisposed below the upper edge of the front wall 2 so that thesame arenotfvisible through the opening? afforded by the space between; the

upper edge of the front Wall-2 and the ceiling 1, which space'iscovered'by the Wire meshscreen 6;. j .7 J V j board-{l0 extends horizontally across the upper edges of the forward end portions of the cross bars 23 to support the lamp sockets 1-1 in which are arranged electric lamps 42 provided for illuminating the scenery 7 and for c'astingarefiectionupon thefigures when the same' arec projected upwardly to a positionlforview. I i A series of transverselydisposed cross bars l-8 extend between the front and rear walls of the structure 1, adja centthe bottom thereof and extendingthrou'gh therear portion of each of the lowercross bars 43 is the thread ed lower end 4 1 of a cylinder &5. Suitable nuts 46 are threaded on the threaded portion flof each cylinder 4C5"for engagement with the upper and lower faces-of the respectivejcross bars '43, in a manner as more clearly disclosed in Figure '8 of the drawings. A 1 cap 47 is removably secured on the upper end of each cylinder and operable in each of the vertically disposed cylinders 45 18 a counterweight 48. A cable 49 is secured at its lower end to the respective counter-weight 48, said cable being trained over a suitable pulley that is suspended from a respective cross bar 29, the other end of the cable being secured to the apertured lower end 35 of the respective vertically movable rod 31 in the manner as more clearly disclosed in Figure 3 of the drawings.

A longitudinal bar 51 extends across the upper edges of the lower cross bars 43 and is secure" to the rear side of the front wall 2 in :ny appropriate manner. Hingedly secured to the upper edge of this bar 51 is a vertically swinging bar 52, that has attached thereto the vertically extending levers 53, for swinging movement with the bar 52. An eye bolt 54 is attached to the rear face of the upper end portion of each lever 53, and suitable cables 55 operatively connect the eye bolt 54 with a respective rod 31 at the aperture 34, in the manner as clearly shown in Figure 3 and for a purpose to be presently apparent.

A main rope or cable 56 is secured at one end the intermediate lever or arm 53, and

i is trained over a suitable pulley 57 l in the bottom rear portion of the ire 1, and the cable extends through a able opening provided therefor in the front wall 2 and through the lower portion of he counter 10. and an actuating ring 58 is attaohet to the free end of this cable as clearly shown in Figure 4.

shown very clearly in Figure 3 there is a certain amount of slack in the cables 55 that connect the intermediate portions of the vertical movable rods 31 with the respective levers or arms 53.

T he operation of my improved amusement device may be briefly stated as follows. Norto ally the parts are arranged as shown in Figure and it will be observed that the triggers 25 cooperate with the pins 38 to secure the vertically movable rods 31 and the figures 39 carried on the platforms 32 in a lowered position so that the figures are concealed out of view.- When in this position, the counterweights 48 in the various cylinders 45 are disposed in their uppermost positions as shown in Figure 8.

The player aims at any one of the targets 20 and if one of the targets is struck with a ball, this particular target will move inwardly against the tension of the coil spring 21 actuat n the rod 18 which, in turn, will operate its pective trigger to disengage the notch from the pin 38 and simultaneously the weight 48 willtravel downwardly in its cylinder 45, averting a pull on the cable 49, in such aimanner as to move the rod 31 upwardly,

whe eby posi t wall, where the same will be in view.

By striking any one of the other targets, the figure associated with the vertically movable rod controlled by that particular target will be raised to its uppermost position.

"he balls striking the pad 8 will be returned t the counter by reason of the trough 13 and the receptacle 12 and the balls may be alien out of the receptacle 12 and placed in the tray 11, where the same are easily accessible to the player or players.

For resetting the parts so as to permit the exposed figures to be returned to their initial co cealed positions, a pull on the ring 58 causes the cable to be actuated and this cable will, in turn, swing the pivoted bar 52 ans all of the arms or levers carried thereby downwardly and this mo vcment will result in the cables 55 being pulled downwardly to move the rods 31 downwardly until the pin 38 rides over the nose 2? of therespective trigger and engages behind the notch 26 where toe movable rod 31 is locked in its lowered position.

It is to be understood that should only one or two of the var ms rods be raised to expose the figures ca ed thereby the resetting of these two par.-.cular rods will not interfere or release the other rods that have not been released and moved upwardly.

The pull rope 56 will permit the simultaneous resetting of all of the released figure supporting rods so that the amusement device will be in position for further use. This will obviate the further necessity of having to employ number of attendants in conjunction wita the amusement device, it being necessary for only one attendant to take care of the'operation of the present invention.

in Figure 10 of the drawings, I have shown a modification of the resetting mechanism wherein the same is controlled by an electric motor. To this end, a small electric motor 59 of any conventional construction is arranged within the lower rear portion of the housing or structure 1 and a relatively small driving gear (30, is secured on the outer end of the drive shaft of this motor.

This driving pinion 60 meshes with a relatively large spur gear (31 that is mounted on a stub shaft 62.

A connecting rod 03 is adjustably secured at its lower end in a socket member (34, the latter being eccentrically connected to the driven gear 61, as at with reference more particularly to Figure 12.

Cooperating with the upper end of the connecting rod 63 is a sectional frame 65, that includes a pair of con'iplemcntary U-shapcd sections having laterally extending cars at the free ends of the arms thereof through which is disposed appropriate fastening means.

A bracket (36 is secured on the upper end of one of the lovers 53 and extending from this bracket is a pin 67 that is disposed normal position, a trip 71 being associated with'the pivoted striker of the bell to actu- "ate thesame, the trip being disposed within through the sectiontrame and-compleinentary spring'pressed bearings 68 engage the opposite side of the pin 67 the bearings being mounted in the frame 65. A nut'69 1S removably secured on the outer end of the pin .67 to prevent displacement of the frame and the bearings 68 from engagement with the pin 67 V A small bell 70 is provided for the purpose of signalling the attendant when the connecting rod passes over dead center, which lndlcates that the dolls are 1n their lowered the path of movement of the element 64; carried by the lower endof the connecting rod 63.

A, hook 72 maybe provided for attaching one end of the pull cable 56 thereto when the motor is employed for resetting the movable parts of the device and should the motor fail," the connectingrod disconnected from the .gear 61 and also from the upper end of the lever 53 and the cable is thenattached to the upper end of the lever whereby the parts may i be reset by manually controlled means.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description that I have provided an amusement dev1ce foruse 1n amusementparks, cohseums, pleasure resorts or wherever 1t-1s desired to set up the amusement device, the same {LEON}:

ing amusement to the players as well as requiring skill. on the 'part of the players to strike the target, the'object of the game being said rod outof engagement with said trigger,

means for varying the required distance of travel of the rod to engage sald trlgger, and

means for lowering the vertically movable member, comprising a lever arranged for vertical swlngmg movement withln the housing structure, a cable connecting the upper end of the lever with the vertically movable'me'mher, and means connected to said lever for swinging the same in one direction to retract the vertically movable member.

- in testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN GRANTONIC.

to projectas many dolls or figures upwardly to view as is possible.

A structure of this character maybe readily and-easily assembled and access to the parts may be had whenever necessary.

.Further, an amusement device of thischar acter will, at all times, be positive and etfiClBIlblIl its operation as well as strong and weight controlled means operatively connected with said vertically movable member for movlng said vertically movable member upwardly when the trigger 18 released, a sleeve extending through'the forward wall of said structure, a target carrying rod slidable through said sleeve,- saidarod having the inner end thereof .in engagement with the :tree' end ot the "trigger, means normally urging ion 

